Upstate New York DJs Apologize for Anti-Trans Remarks

Two radio hosts from Rochester, N.Y., apologized in a statement Friday after they were fired for using anti-trans language on air last week, Gay Star News reports.

Kimberly and Beck, who used to host "The Breakfast Buzz" on 98.9 The Buzz, released a statement to All Access last week, saying they are "very sorry for the hurt and pain we have caused anyone, especially those in the transgender community and their friends and family."

"This morning Entercom fired Kimberly and Beck effective immediately," Sue Munn, Vice-President/General Manager Entercom Rochester, wrote in a statement Thursday. "Their hateful comments against the transgender community do not represent our station or our company. We deeply apologize to the transgender community, the community of Rochester, and anyone else who was offended by their hateful comments. We are proud of our past work on behalf of the local LGBT community and we remain committed to that partnership."

Kimberly and Beck came under fire after they conflated sexual orientation with gender identity, made offensive comments about transgender health and called trans people "nut jobs." When discussing transgender rights in Rochester, N.Y., the DJs spewed hateful rhetoric about a local transgender high school student athlete. After their comments made headlines, Kimberly took to Twitter, which has since been deleted, and said the "freedom of speech includes the freedom to offend others."

In their statement posted by All Access, the radio hosts own up to their mistake, saying they take "full responsibility" for what they said, acknowledging it was "wrong."

"Our attempt was to discuss a controversial healthcare issue; however our lack of sensitivity and understanding of the transgender people and their plight created 12 minutes of radio we that wish we could take back," the statement reads. They added that they don't blame being fired by Entercom.

"We fully understand Entercom's position and their decision to dismiss us,' they stated. 'It is their right and we accept their decision and our responsibility in it," the statement by the DJs read. "It is our hope that this situation can be a time of learning and understanding about the transgender community and not a time for additional anger and insensitivity."

"This is a community of individuals who struggle painfully to be themselves and find the support and comfort they deserve," they added. "We believe that this can be a chance for all of us to stop the ignorance and find our humanity."

Comments

, 2014-05-28 17:11:00

I have been transgender for 64 years they deserved what they got we are people also we have feelings lifestyles that some disagree with but leave us alone let us fight for our rights you people don’t bash gay @lesbian groups heather